how do you apply as an independent student for the fafsa?

[bfg2012]

<p>what do you have to write in the app to apply as an independent studen</p>

[momofthreeboys]

<p>Independence has to do with financial aid and following are some of the criteria for federal aid. You can “go it alone” for college applications but the vast majority of young people do not have the financial means to attend college without some sort of financial aid assistance from the government or from the colleges.</p>

<p>Age 24
Working on a masters or doctorate degree
Married
Children or dependents that receive at least half their support from you
Orphan, ward or dependent of the court
Veteran</p>

[sk8rmom]

<p>There are a series of qualifying questions that determine independent status for FAFSA. Be careful to answer them correctly as schools can, and do, ask for verification if you’re under the normal age for independent status (24). If you don’t meet any of these criteria but have an extraordinary situation that you believe qualifies you then you’ll have to ask the school for professional judgement and have them determine your status. These will be the qualifications for the 12/13 FAFSA:</p>

<p>

For the 2012-2013 Award Year, a student is automatically determined to be an independent applicant for federal student aid if he or she meets one or more of the following criteria:
• Student was born before January 1, 1989.
• Student is married or separated (but not divorced) as of the date of the application.
• At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, the student will be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program (such as MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.).
• Student is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or is a National Guard or Reserves enlistee called into federal active duty for other than training purposes.
• Student is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (see the definition in the box on page 4).
• Student has one or more children who receive more than half of their support from him or her between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.
• Student has dependent(s) (other than children or spouse) who live with him or her and who receive more than half of their support from the student, now and through June 30, 2013.
• At any time since the student turned age 13, both of the student’s parents were deceased, the student was in foster care, or the student was a dependent/ward of the court.
• As determined by a court in the student’s state of legal residence, the student is now or was upon reaching the age of majority, an emancipated minor (released from control by his or her parent or guardian).
• As determined by a court in the student’s state of legal residence, the student is now or was upon reaching the age of majority, in legal guardianship.
• On or after July 1, 2011, student was determined by a high school or school district homeless liaison to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.
• On or after July 1, 2011, student was determined by the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.
• On or after July 1, 2011, student was determined by a director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or was self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.
• Student was determined by the college financial aid administrator to be an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or is self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.

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